Hosiery turning and stacking apparatus



April 5, 1960 T. H. DE SPAIN 2,931,544

Hosnsmfv TURNING AND sTAcxING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 18, 1955 3Sheets-Sheet 1 "Tui EIR

Ulli iii INVENTOR THOMAS H. DE SPAIN Y GMA l CW ATTORNEYS April 5, 1960r. H. DE SPAIN 2,931,544

HOSIERY TURNING AND STACKING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1a, 1955 ssheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR THOMAS H. DE SPAIN ATTORNEYS April 5, 1960 T. H.DE SPAIN HosIr-:RY TURNING AND sTACxING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 18, 1955 3Sheets-Sheet 5 -W Immun 'HOSIERY TURNING AND STACKING APPARATUS ThomasH. De Spain, Paducah, Ky., assignor to Southern Textile Machinery Co.,Incorporated, Paducah, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky ApplicationFebruary 18, 1955, Serial No. 489,221

7 Claims. (Cl. 223-43) This invention relates to apparatus for turningand stacking hosiery following an inspection operation. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a hosiery turning and stackingapparatus having an improved sensing means Y for initiating a stackingoperation.

In the manufacture of womens hosiery, it is the general practice toinspect the hosiery in inside-out position on the inspection form.Apparatus for turning and stacking hosiery following an inspectionoperation is disclosed in application Serial No; 209,574, of Edward R.Ammon, tiled February 6, 1951, now Patent No. 2,722,348 and in mycopending application Serial No. 368,625, filed July 17, 1953, nowPatent No. 2,818,205. Both of these patents are assigned to the sameassignee as the present application. While the apparatus disclosed inthese prior applications automatically performs the hosiery turning andstacking functions in a very satisfactory manner, the apparatus of theseapplications is expensive to manufacture.

In a hosiery turning and stacking machine, it is important that thetiming of the stacking operation be properly coordinated with theposition of the hosiery relative tol the stacking mechanism. Thiscoordination of the stacking operation timing to the position of thehosiery may be obtained by the use of an appropriate sensing means fordetecting a predetermined relation of the hosiery to the stackingmechanism. It is important that the sensing means employed for thispurpose be reliable in operation and always be actuated by the passageor presence of the hosiery in a predetermined relation to the stackingmechanism. It is also important that the nature of the sensing "means besuch as. not to injure in any manner the delicate material of which thehosiery is made.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple, reliable, andrelatively inexpensive apparatus which automatically removes hosieryfrom an inspection form, turning the hosiery during the removaloperation, and which deposits the hosiery in outstretched stackedrelation in a predetermined position adjacent the inspection form.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a hosieryturning and stacking apparatus having an improved means for sensing thearrival of hosiery at a predetermined position relative to the hosierystacking elements and for initiating a stacking operation in response tothe arrival of hosiery at the predetermined position.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a pneumatichosiery transfer means having an improved means for providing apneumatic pressure differential to :assist in the turning and stackingoperations.

In achievement of these objectives, this invention pro vides a combinedhosiery turning and stacking machine comprising a form on which thehosiery is positioned for United States Patet1t-F inspection, the formbeing provided on its interior with a f 01111 of a positive displacementair pump or blower. A

Vatented' Aprz, 1960 reciprocably movable traversing means is movableinto sealed communication with the same end of the hosiery receivingpassage of the hosiery form as that connected to the pressure dierentialproducing means. With the traversing means in sealed communication withthe hosiery receiving passage of the form, suction from the air pumpdraws the hosiery through the hosiery receiving form and 'intoengagement with the traversing means. A sensing means responsive topneumatic pressure senses the arrival of the hosiery at the traversingmeans due to change in pressure differential in the pneumatic systemcaused by the arrival of the hosiery at the traversing means. Thesensing means connects the traversing means. The sensing means connectsthe traversing means to a drive mechanism which causes the traversingmeans to move out of sealed communication with the interior of thehosiery form and along a predetermined path.

During the movement of the traversing means, an end of the hosiery isretained by the traversing means, the traversing movement causing thehosiery to be drawn in elongated relation 'along the path of movement.After a. predetermined movement of the traversing means has occurred,the hosiery is released and drops in neatly' stacked relation onto asuitable receiver. The traversing means completes its cycle of movementand returns into sealed communication with the interior of the hosieryform in readiness for another cycle of operations.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will .tially in section,showing details of the traversing mechanism, with the traversing ductsection being shown in sealed engagement with the fixed duct section;and

Fig. 4 is a diagram of the electrical circuit connections which may beused in connection with the apparatus of Figs. 1-3.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. l-3, thereis shown a hosiery inspecting, turning, and stacking apparatus generallyindicated at 10 supported upon a framework generally indicated at 12.Framework 12 is provided with vertical leg members 17 which support attheir upper ends a horizontal top member 19. At the front'of theapparatus, a panel member 21 extends vertically downwardly a shortdistance from top member 19. The apparatus includes a hosiery inspectionform 14 which is rigidly supported by framework 12 at the front of theframework and intermediate the height thereof. Form 14 is provided onits interior with an axially extending hosiery receiving hollow passage15. Passage 15 is open at its left-hand end with respect to the viewshown in Fig. 1 and is connected at its right-hand end with respect tothe same figure to a stationary suction inlet duct 18 which communicateswith the interior of the hollow passage. The outer'end of inlet duct 18is connected to a generally U-shaped fixed duct section 20. Duct section20 is supported at its end opposite that attached to duct secion 18 by abracket 22 which forms a part of framework 12.

A source of suction comprising a positive displacement vacuum pump 24 issupported by a shelf 26 adjacent the lower end of framework 12 and atthe rear of the apparatus. Pump 24 is provided with a stationary inletduct 27 in which is positioned a valve 28 controlled by an electricalsolenoid 29. Energization of solenoid 29 actuates valve 28 to break thevacuum, as will be explained later in more detail. To the outer end ofinlet conduit 27 is .zontal duct portion 31 which is adapted to engage aresilient peripheral sealing ring 35 carried by the outer end ofstationary duct section 20. When suction head 32 is in sealed engagementwith resilient ring 35 of -duct 20 as shown in Fig. 3, suction from pump24 is -communicated through llexible duct 30 and suction head l32 to theduct sections 20 and 18 and thence to the interior of hosiery receivingpassage 15 of inspection form 14. The outer end of horizontal ductportion 31 of suction head 32 is provided with a threaded sleeve 37which is in threaded engagement with the inner surface of duct portion31. Sleeve 37 supports a screen member 39 which permits communication ofthe suction from suction head 32 to the interior of hosiery inspectionform 14 but which prevents passage of hosiery from the inspection formtoV the interior ofY flexible duct section 30.

Suction head 32 and the attached exible duct section 30 are reciprocablymoved in a traversing path to withdraw hosiery from stationary ductsection 20 and to drop the hosiery in neatly stacked relation in anelongated tray or receptacle 33 disposed beneath the path ofreciprocation of suction head 32. Suction head 32 is supportedV at thelower end of a vertical bracket member 50 which forms a part of anddepends downwardly from a slidably movable crosshead or carriagegenerally, indicated at 52. Crosshead 52 is a generally H-shaped memberin vertical elevation, having a pairvof vertical legs 54 and 56. Eachvertical leg 54 and 56 is provided 'at its upper and lower ends,respectively, with horizontally extending passages which receive upperand lower horizontal rod members 58 and 60 supported at the oppositeends of the upper portion of framework 12.

A drive chain 62 for imparting a reciprocatory traversing movement tocrosshead 52` and thus to suction -head 32 is mounted for rotationlengthwise of the upper end of the apparatus in a plane parallel to andadjacent guide rods 58 and 60. Chain 62 rotates about a pair ofoppostely disposed sprocket members 64 and 66 (Fig. 1) which aresuitably supported for rotation by brackets 57 and 59 attached to thetop 19 of thesupporting framework.

Reciprocating crosshead 52 is connected to drive chain 62 by means of aconnecting link 6 3 which is pivotally connected at 65 to a link 67 ofchain-62. The opposite end of link 63 is pivotally connected at 69 to anextension arm 71 formed integrally with vertical leg 56 of crosshead 52.By pivotally connecting crosshead 52 to chain 62 by means of link 63 asjust described, the rotary movement of chain 62 imparts a reciprocatingforward and reverse movement to the crosshead and consequently tosuction head 32 and eXible conduit 30.

Drive chain 62 is driven from a continuously operating motor 68 which isconnected through a drive belt 70 to the constantly driven input pulleymember 74 of a clutch generally indicated at 72. Clutch 72 also includesan intermittently driven output pulley 75 to which the input pulley 74is connected in driving relation by an electrically operated clutchingelement 73. An electrically operated brake 77 is normally energized toprevent rotation of output pulley 75. Output pulley 75 is connected by adrive belt 76 to a pulley 78 mounted on the same shaft. as chainsprocket 66. Power is transmitted `*connected a exible conduit or ductV30 which s'conf' I nected at its upper or outer end to a suction head 32byv 4 from motor 68 to 'drive chain 62`when electrically operated clutchelement 73 is energized to permit clutch input and output pulleys 74 and75 to engage in driving relation, and when electrically operated brake77 is simultaneously de-energized to permit output pulley to rotate.

A normally open microswitch or other suitable switch 8) (Fig. l) ismounted in the path of reciprocably movable crosshead 52 adjacent theend of the forward stroke ofthe crosshead and is closed by crosshead 52to cause the energization of solenoid 29 of electrically operated valve28 in the inlet conduit 27 of pump 24. Closing of valve 23 separatesflexible conduit 30 and suction head 32 from the source of suction, pump24, allowing air in flexible conduit 30 and suction head 32 to return toatmospheric pressure to permit the hosiery adhering to the end of screen39 to drop in stacked relation into the .receiving tray or receptacle33. Also, a normally closed microswitch or other suitable switch 82(Fig. 2) is disposed adjacent the mouth of duct section 20 and is openedby engagement with the horizontal duct portion 31 of suction head 32.Opening of switch 82 by contact with suction head 32 results in thede-energization of electric clutch element 73 and the re-energization ofelectric brake 77. This results in the declutching of driving clutchpulley 74 from driven clutch pulley 75 to` thereby disconnect drivemotor 68, from chain 62, and also causes electric brake 77 to engageAclutch pulley 75 to prevent movement of chain 62.

The electrical control circuit of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 4. Inthe embodiment shown, the electrical apparatus is connected to powerlines and 102 which are connected to a suitable source of -volt A.C.power through a disconnect switch generally indicated at 104.Continuously operating motor 38 which drives the positive displacementsuction pump 24 is connected to power lines 100 and 102 throughconductors 106 and 108, respectively. Continuously operating motor 68for the drive chain 62 is connected across power lines 100 and 102 byconductors 110 and 112, respectively.

A step-down transformer generally indicated at 114 is provided forsupplying operating voltages for the magnetic operating coils of thevarious electrical relays used in the control circuit and includes aprimary winding 116l whichV is connected to power lines 100 and 102 bymeans of conductors 118 and 120, respectively, and a secondary winding1,22 having output terminals 124 and 126.

A normally open relay 12,8 isprovided for controlling clutch element 73.Relay 128 has a magneticV operating coil 130 connected across terminals143 and 145, a normally open contact 132 movable to bridge terminals 134and 136 of the relay when coil 130 is energized and a' normally opencontact 138 movable to bridge terminals and 142 when coil 130 isenergized.

A normally open relay 146 is provided for controlling the solenoid 29 ofair valve 28 to permit dropping of the hosiery at the end of the forwardtraversing movement of suction head 32. Relay 146 includes a magneticoperating coil 148 connected across terminals 150 and 152 and a normallyopen contact 154 which is movable to bridge terminals 156 and 158 of therelay when operating coil 148 is energized.

A normally closed relay 160 is provided for controlling -electric brake77. Relay 160 includes a magnetic operating coil 162 connected acrossterminals 164 and 166 and a normally closed contact 168 which normallybridges terminals 170 and 172 of the relay when operating coil '162 isnot energized and which is movable to open position when coil 162 isenergized.

A bridge rectifier generally indicated at 174 is provided, the inputterminals 215 and.217 of the rectifier being connected to power lines100 and 102 through conductors 176 and 178, respectively.

75, Vacuum switch 46 which is operated to closed condi- -tion by theypresence of hosiery on screen-'39 Vof suction head 32 is connected insuch manner as to have its closing simultaneously cause the energizationof normally open vrelay 128 of normally closed relay 160, therebystarting the transversing cycle of the suction head 32 from its sealedposition as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, and causing the hosiery to bedrawn out of tube section 20. One side of vacuum switch 46 is connectedto terminal 124 of secondary transformer winding 122 by means ofconductor 180, junction 182, and conductor 184 which is connected toterminal 124 of transformer winding 122. The other side of vacuum switch46 is connected by means of conductor 186 to terminal 143 of magneticoperating coil 130 of the normally open relay 128. Conductor 186 is alsoconnected directly to terminal 164 of magnetic operating coil 162 ofnormally closed relay 160. Terminal 145 of magnetic operating coil 130of relay V128 is connected by means of conductor 188, junction 190 andconductor 192 to terminal 126 of transformer winding 122. Also, terminal166 of magnetic operating coil 162 of normally closed relay 160 isconnected by means of conductor 194, junction 196 and conductor 192 toterminal 126 of secondary coil 122. Thus, closure of vacuum switch 46 bythe presence of hosiery against screen 39 of suction head 32 resultsinthe energization of both magnetic operating coils 130 and 162 ofnormally open relay v128 and of normally closed relay 160, respectively.

Normally open contact 132 of relay 128 closes a sealing-in or holdingcircuit for magnetic operating coil 130 of relay 128 through cycle stopswitch 82. One side of cycle stop switch 82 is connected by means ofconductor '198 and junction 199 to conductor 184 and thence to lmovesout of engagement with duct section 28), con- `ductor 202, terminal 134,contact 132, terminal 136, conductor 186 to terminal 143 of coil 130.The other side `of coil 130 is already connected to terminal 126 ofsecondary winding 122 through conductors 188, junction `190 andconductor 192.

Terminal 140 of relay 128 is connected by means of conductor 204 to oneside of electric clutch element 73. The opposite side of electric clutchelement 73 is con nected by conductor 206, junction 208 and conductor210 to the output terminal 212 of rectifier bridge 174. Terminal 142 ofnormally open relay 128 is connected by conductor 218, junction 220 andconductor 222 to the output 224 of rectifier bridge 174. Thus, whencontact 1 38 Vof relay 128 bridges terminals 140 and 142 of the relaydue to energization of magnetic operating coil 130, elec- 'tric clutchelement 73 is connected across the output terminals 212 and 224 ofrectifier bridge 174 through the following circuit: terminal 212 of therectifier bridge, throughV conductor 210, junction 208, conductor 206,clutch element 73, conductor 204, terminal 140 of relay 128, contact138, terminal 142, conductor 218, junction 228, conductor 222 toterminal 224 of rectifier bridge 174.

Terminal 170 of normally closed relay 160 is connected by means ofconductor 214 to one side of electric;

bridge 174 through the following circuit: from tzrmnal 212 of bridge 174through conductor 210, junction 208, conductor 216, brake 77, conductor214, terminal 170 of relay 160, normally closed contact 168, terminal172, conductor 226, junction 220, conductor 222 and terminal 224 ofrectifier 174.

As has been mentioned, the function of normally open relay 146 is toenergize air solenoid valve 28 to vent flexible conduit 30 and suctionhead 32 to atmosphere when the traversing suction head 32 has reachedthe extreme limit of its forward movement, to thereby cause the toe ofthe hosiery adhering to screen 39 to be released. One side of theoperating solenoid 29 of air vent valve 28 is connected to power line100 by conductor 230.

,The opposite side of air solenoid 29 is connected by conductor 232 toterminal 156 of normally open relay 146. Terminal 158 of the relay 146is connected by conductor 234 to power line 102. Thus, when normallyopen contact 154 bridges terminals 156 and 158 upon the energization ofmagnetic coil 148, the operating solenoid 29 of air valve 28 ismomentarily energized through the following circuit: vfrom power line100 through conductor 230, through solenoid 29, through conductor 232 toterminal 156 of relay 146, through normally open contact 154 to terminal158, thence through conductor 234 to power line 102. y

The energization of magnetic coil 148 of relay. 146 is controlled by aircut-olf switch which is contacted by the slidably movable crosshead 52at the end of the forward traverse stroke of crossheadV 52. One side ofair cut-off switch 80 is connected to terminal 124 of secondary winding122 of step-down transformer 114 through conductor 201, junction 203,and conductor 184. The other side of air cut-off switch 80 is connectedthrough conductor 205, junction 211 and conductor 240, to terminal 150of magnetic operating coil 148. Terminal 152 of operating coil 148 isconnected by conductor 207, junction 196 and conductor 192 to terminal126 of secondary winding 122.v Thus, closure of airV cut-cfr' switch 80completes the energization circuit of magnetic coil 148 of relay 146 inthe following manner: from terminal 124 of secondary winding 122,through conductor 184, junction 203, conductor 201, air cut-off switch80, conductor 285, junction A211, conductor 240, terminal 150 of relay146, magnetic coil 148, terminal 152,'conductor 207,

' junction 196, conductor'192 to terminal 126 of secondary Winding 1,22.

A foot ormanually operated switch 83 is placed in electrically parallelrelation with air cut-off switch to permit manually closing theenergization circuit of solenoid 29 of valve 28 to brake the vacuuminside of form 14 when the operator is putting the stocking on the form.At this time, suction head 32 engages the sealing ring 35 on ductsection 20. Manually operated or foot operated switch 83 is connected bymeans of conductor 236 and junction 238 to conductor 184 and thence toterminal 124 of secondary winding 122. The opposite side of switch 83 isconnected through conductor 240 to terminal 150 of magnetic operatingcoil 148 of relay 146. Thus, manual closure of switch 83 results in themomentary energization of operating coil 148 and closure of contact 154of relay 146, thereby energizing solenoid 29 of valve 28. This closesvalve 28 and brakes the vacuum inside of form 14 while the operator isputting the stocking on the form.

In order that the operator may know when a predetermined batch ofhosiery has been stacked, a counter switch 236 and signal light 238 areprovided. Switch 236 and light 238 are connected in series with eachother across power lines and 102. The crosshead or carriage 52 trips acounter lever connected to switch 236 on each forward traversingmovement of the crosshead. At the end of a predetermined number ofcycles of operation; say twelve, for example, switch 236 is closed andenergizes light 238 so that the operator will know v described.

t were The cycle `of operation of the apparatus will nowbe Cycle ofoperation The hosiery to be inspected is positioned on the in. spectionform 14in inside-out relation with the toe end of the hosiery'at theleft-hand end of the formas viewed in Eig, 1., After the inspectionoperation hasv been completed, the, operator permits the hosiery to bedrawn by the suction into the open mouth of passageV 15. At this time,the suction head is in sealed engagement with the sealing ring 35 ofthestationary suction duct 20. Since switch 104` is closed blower motor 38is continuously `operating to produce suction through flexible. conduit30, suctionhead 32, stationary duct sections 20 and 18 land thencesuction in the hosiery receiving passage 15 in the interior of hollowinspection form 14.

As the suction pulls the hosiery into the passage 15 of the form, thehosiery is reversed from its inside-out condition to right-side-outcondition. The hosiery passes through passage 15 of inspection form 14and through duct sections 18 and 20 into engagementV with the face ofscreen 39 of suction head 32. The presence of the toe ofthe stocking.across the face of screen 39 increases the vacuum or suction in theportion of the ductsystem Which includes the inlet pipe 27 connectedtoblower 24 with the result that this increased:vacuumactuates vacuumswitch 46 to closed position.

Closing of vacuumY switch 46 energizes operating coil 130 of normallyopen relay 128 through the following circuit: from terminal 124 ofsecondary winding 122,

`through conductor 184, junction 182, conductor 180,

vacuum switch 46, conductor 186 to terminal 143 of coil 130, throughcoil 130 to terminal 145k of the coil, thence through conductor 188,junction 190, conductor 192 to terminal 126 of secondary winding 122.Relay coil 130 is thereby energized and closes normally open contacts132 and 138.

Closure of contact 132 completes a holding circuit for coil 130 in thefollowing manner: from terminal 124 of secondary winding 122, throughconductor 184, junction 199, conductor 198, normally closed cycle stopswitch 82, conductor 202 to terminal 134 of normally open re lay 128,throughl switch contact 132 to terminal 136, conductor 186, terminal143through magnetic operating coil 130, terminal 145, conductor 188,junction 190,

conductor 192 tosterminal 126 of secondarywinding 122.

Closure of normally open contact 138 results 'in the energization ofelectric clutch element 73 through the following circuit: from terminal224 of rectifier bridge 174,v through conductor 222 to junction 220,through conductor 218 toterminal 142 of relay 128, throughV contact138to terminal 140, through conductor 204 to clutch element 73, throughclutch element 73, through conductor 206 to junction 208, throughconductor 210 to terminal 212 of rectifier bridge 174. Clutch element 73is thereby energized;

The closing of vacuum switch 46 bythe presence of hosiery at screen 39also energizes the magnetic operatingA coil 162 of normally closed relay160 through the followingv circuit: from terminal 124 of transformerwinding 122, through'conductor 184, junction 182, conductor 180, vacuumswitch 46, conductor 186 to terminal 164 of magnetic operating coil 162,through coil 162 to terminal 166, through conductor 194 to junction 196,through conductor 192 to terminal 126 of secondary winding 122. MagneticoperatingV coil 162v of relay 106 is thereby energized to open the'normally closed contact 162 to thereby de-energize the circuit ofelectric brake 77 simultaneously with the energization of clutch.element 73. Y

The same holding circuit through the cycle stopswitch 82 whichholdsrelay 128 energized also holdsrelay 160 energizedV until the-cycle.stop switch S21-opens -at-the end .of the traversing cycle of suctionhead 32. .Vacuum switch 46 opens as soon as suction head 32 moves awayfrom sealing ring 35 of duct section 20 on the forward stroke. However,relays 128 and 160 remain energized despite the opening of vacuum switch46, due to theholding circuit.

The simultaneous energizaton of clutch element 73 and de-energization ofelectric brake 77 permits power to be transmitted from continuouslyoperating drive motor 68 through drive belt 70, clutch pulleys 74 and75, drive belt 76, to pulley 78 and thence to the drive sprocket 66 ofchain 62.

The movement of drive chain 62 causes crosshead 52 to be moved to theleft with respect to the views shown in Figs. 1 and 3 to cause suctionhead 32 to move out of said sealed engagement with the end 35 ofstationary duct section 20. While the suction head is moving away fromduct section 20 on its forward stroke, suction still continues to beexerted from blower 24 through flexible conduit 30 to suction head 32causing the toe of the stocking to be securely held against the outerface of screen 39. Crosshead 52 is moved to the left with respect to theviews shown in Figs. 1 and 3 due to the pivotally connected link 63between drive chain 62 and arm 71 of the crosshead. As suction head 32moves away from duct section 20, the hosiery is drawn from the ductsection 20 iny longitudinally outstretched relation, the toe of thehosiery adhering to screen 39.

When suction head 32 has completed the limit of its movement in aforward direction or to the left with respect to Figs. l and 3, thenormally open air cut-olf switch 80 is momentarily actuated to closedposition by contact with the movable carriage 52. Closure of air cut-olfswitch 80 results in the closing of venting valve 28 controlled bysolenoid 29. The circuit of air cut-off switch 80 may be traced in thefollowing manner: from terminal 124 of secondary winding 122, throughconductor 184, junction 203, conductor 201, air cut-olf switch 80,conductor 205, junction 211, conductor 240 to terminal of normally openrelay 146, through magnetic operating coil 148 to terminal 152, throughconductor 207, junction 196, conductor 192 to terminal 126 of secondarywinding 122. Completion of the circuit just described by the momentaryclosure of air cut-ot switch 80 causes magnetic operating coil 148 ofrelay 146 to be energized. Energization of operating coil 148 closesnormally open contact 154 to bridge terminals 150 and 156 of vrelay 146.Thismomentarily completes a circuit to solenoid 29 of air vent valve 28in the following manner: from 'power line 100 through conductor 230,through solenoid 29, through conductor 232 to terminal 156 of relay 146,through normally open contact 154 to terminal 158, through conductor 234to power line 102. This results in the momentary ener gization ofsolenoid 29 to cause the momentary closing of valve 28. The closing ofvalve 28 momentarilydisconnects flexible conduit 30 and suction head32,.;.from pump 24, thereby breaking thel vacuum at suction head 32.

The cutting off of the suction at screen 39 due to the temporary ventingaction provided by the momentary energization of valve 28 permits thetoe of the hosiery to be released and permits the hosiery to drop inoutstretched stacked relation into the hosiery receiver or tray 33disposed beneath the traversing path of suction head 32.

As soon as the slidable crosshead 52 has moved out of contact with aircut-olf switch 80, the switch 80 re-opens and de-energizes magneticoperating coil 148 of relay 146. This permits normally open contact 154to again open and thereby opens the circuit of solenoid 29 permittingair vent valve 28 controlled by that solenoid to re-open and restoringthe suction to the llexible suction conduit 30 and suction head 32. Thecontinuedmovement of chainy 62 causes crosshead52to move along'thereturn path and'iirially into sealed:engagementwwith the open end 35 ofstationary conduit 20 as shown in Fig. 3. f

As suction head 32 reaches the completion of its return stroke in whichthe suction head engages end 35 of stationary suction conduit 20 insealed relation, crosshead 52 engages cycle stop switch v82 to therebyopen the holding circuit of control relays 128 and 160. This results inthe de-energization of magnetic coil 130 of relay 128 and the opening ofnormally open contacts 132 and 138, and also in the de-energization ofoperating coil 162 of relay 160. The de-energization of operating coil130 of relay 128 vresults in the opening of contacts 132 and 138. Theopening of contact 138 de-energizes electrical clutch element 73,removing motor 68 from driving relation with respect to chain 62. Theopening of contact 132 further opens the holding circuit for operatingcoil 130.

The de-energization of operating coil 162 of normally closed relay 160permits normally closed contact 168 to reclose, to complete theenergization circuit of electric brake 77. Brake 77 acts on pulleymember 75 to prevent further rotation of chain 62. Due to the combinedelects of theY de-energization of the electric clutch element 73 and there-energization of the electric brake 77, crosshead 52 with suction head32 remains in the position shown in the drawings with suction head 32 insealed engagement with the end of duct 20 in readiness for another cycleof operation, to be initiated by the presence of another stocking atscreen 39 of suction head 32.

It can be seen from the foregoing that there is provided in accordancewith this invention an improved apparatus for automatically turning andstacking hosiery in conjunction with an inspection operation. Theturning and stacking device of the invention is simple in constructionand operation and permits a rapid handling of the hosiery in theinspection process. Furthermore, the device of the invention permits theturning and stacking device to be integrally combined in the sameapparatus with the inspection form. The positive displacement blower orpump provides an eicient means for producing a pneumatic pressuredifferential which assists in both the turningy and stacking operations.Furthermore, the use of the positive displacement pump for providingsuction cooperates with the vacuum switch to provide an efficient andreliable sensing means which initiates the traversing cycle of thereciprocating suction head which transfers the hosiery to stackedposition.

While there has been shown vand described a particular embodiment of theinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that` variouschanges and modiiications may be made therein without departing from theinvention and, therefore, it is aimed to cover all such changes andmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A hosiery turning and stacking apparatus comprising a hosiery form,said form having a hosiery receiving passage extending therethrough, atraversing means movable into communication with said passage, means forapplying a pneumatic pressure differential to the interior of saidpassage whereby hosiery is drawn through said passage and intoengagement with said traversing means, and means responsive to a changein said pneumatic pressure differential produced by the presence ofhosiery at said traversing means for causing a traversing movement ofsaid traversing means along a predetermined path whereby hosiery isdrawn by said traversing means in elongated outstretched relation alongsaid path.

2. A hosiery turning and stacking apparatus cornprising a hosiery form,said form having a hosiery receiving passage extending therethrough, atraversing means movable into communication with said passage,

, Y 10 means' for applying a pneumatic pressure differential'to theinterior of said passage whereby hosiery is drawn throughsaid passageand into engagement with said traversing means, means for retaining saidhosiery at said traversing means, and means responsive to a change insaid pneumatic pressure dilerential produced by the presence of hosieryat said traversing means for causing a traversing movement of saidtraversing means along a predetermined path whereby hosiery is drawn bysaid traversing means in elongated outstretched relation along saidpath.

3. A hosiery turning and stacking apparatus comprising a hosiery form,said form having a hosiery receiving passage extending therethrough, atraversing means movable into sealed communication with said passage,means for applying a pneumatic pressure differential to the interior ofsaid passage whereby hosiery is drawn through said passage and intoengagement with said traversing means, means responsive to a change insaid pneumatic pressure differential produced by the presence of hosieryat said traversing means for causing a traversing movement of saidtraversing means along a predetermined path, said hosiery being retainedby said traversing means during said movement, and means for causingsaid traversing means to release said hosiery at the end of apredetermined movement.

4. A hosiery turning and stacking apparatus comprising a hosiery form,said form having a hosiery receiving passage extending therethrough, atraversing means movable into sealed communication with said passage, apositive displacement pump means for applying a pneumatic pressuredifferential to the interior of said passage whereby hosiery is drawnthrough said passage and into engagement with said traversing means, andmeans responsive to a change in said pneumatic pressure differentialproduced by the presence of hosiery at said traversing means for causinga traversing movement of said traversing means along a predeterminedpath whereby hosiery is drawn in elongated outstretched relation alongsaid path.

5. A hosiery turning and stacking apparatus comprising a hosiery form,said form having a hosiery receiving passage extending therethrough, atraversing means movable into sealed communication with said passage, apositive displacement pump means for producing a vacuum in the interiorof said passage whereby hosiery is drawn through said passage and intoengagement with said traversing means, and switch means responsive tochange in degree of vacuum produced by the presence of hosiery at saidtraversing means for causing a traversing movement of said traversingmeans along a predetermined path whereby hosiery is drawn in elongatedoutstretched relation along said path.

6. A hosiery turning and stacking apparatus comprising a hosiery form,said form having a hosiery receiving passage extending therethrough, atraversing means movable into sealed communication with said passage, apositive displacement pump means for producing a vacuum in the interiorof said passage whereby hosiery is drawn through said passage and intoengagement with said traversing means, means responsive to change indegree of Vacuum produced by the presence of hosiery at said traversingmeans for causing a traversing movement of said traversing means along apredetermined path, said hosiery being retained by ,said traversingmeans during said movement, and means for causing said traversing meansto release said hosiery at the end of a predetermined movement.

7. A hosiery turning and stacking apparatus comprising a hosiery form,said form having a hosiery receiving passage extending therethrough, atraversing means movable into sealed communication with said passage,pump means for producing a pneumatic pressure differential, said pumpmeans being continuously connected to said traversing means, saidpneumatic pressure dilerential 11 being applied to said passageV whensaid-traversing means is' in. sealed eommunicationwithsaid` passagewhereby hosiery is drawn. through. saidA passage and intor engagelmentwith, siad traversing means, means responsive to a change in saidpneumatic pressure differential produced by the presence of' hosiery atsaid traversing means for causing aY traversingv movementof saidtraversing means along a predetermined path. whereby hosiery isl drawnin elongated outstretchedy relation along said path, said hosiery beingretained at said traversing means by pneumatie pressure differentialduring said traversing movementr and means for removing said pneumaticpressure differential atsaid-traversing; means'` at the end of apredetermined` traversingrnovement whereby said hosiery is released bysaid traversing means.

References' Cited' in the fle'of this patentA UNITED STATES PATENTS

